Okay, so I've read through this thread (and I think a couple of others that were related) and I've come up with the following:
1. It is not my place to decide what is ethical, moral, or proper for others. IMO, what some are labeling "unethical" should more correctly be termed "personally distasteful". I wasn't aware that the porn industry had developed a code of ethics... why didn't I get that memo, UW?... and even if one did exist, it certainly wouldn't be my job to enforce it. Those who support RageCash have their very good reasons for doing so, and those who don't... well, ditto. Add to the mix the issues of individual comfort zones and numerous unique business models, and the plethora of differing opinions shouldn't be suprising to anyone.
2. Do I think using the word "assault" in a massively-publicized porn site is a good idea? Do I think promoting a site by even remotely insinuating rape scenarios is a good idea? Do I think the sponsor in question would stand a snowball's chance in hell of standing up to legal and/or governmental scrutiny of their site? Not in the current political climate, no. But guess what... I don't have to pay their lawyers, so it's really none of my damned business.
3. I personally don't promote "vanilla" sites at all... teen, amateur, Asian... BOOOORING! That having been said, if I refused to use a sponsor simply because I possess that particular OPINION (keeping in mind that it is my right to run my business the way I see fit!), I'd have no one to promote at all, as I have yet to come across a sponsor who isn't busting at the seams with "vanilla"! I don't think it's right or fair to judge a sponsor simply by the content of one site, especially if they have others that really appeal to you or fit into your business model. Whatever each of us decides to to, it is a PERSONAL CHOICE, and there's really no logical reason to tell anyone else about it... all that does is put you in the unpleasant position of having to justify your reasoning and/or rationale.
4. I am comfortable with the idea that GG and Jim had their reasons for accepting RageCash as a board sponsor. Whether or not I agree with those reasons or their decision is a moot point... I don't pay their bills either. Oh yeah... and it's none of my damned business.
5. I've seen enough righteous indignation in this thread alone to last me a lifetime, but it's all based on emotion, personal opinion, and the above-mentioned comfort zones. To each his own, live and let live, blah blah blah. It's not like we as an industry have ever been able to agree on anything else... why should we be expected to start now?
NOTE: The fact that I did not indicate one way or the other my feelings regarding RageCash or their site was deliberate and I won't be elaborating on it further... see, you don't pay MY bills and it's none of your damned business!
